Chemical compositions with antimicrobial functionality

ABSTRACT

Techniques regarding killing of a pathogen with one or more ionene compositions having antimicrobial functionality are provided. For example, one or more embodiments can comprise a method, which can comprise contacting a Mycobacterium tuberculosis microbe with a chemical compound. The chemical compound can comprise an ionene unit. Also, the ionene unit can comprise a cation distributed along a molecular backbone. The ionene unit can have antimicrobial functionality. The method can further comprise electrostatically disrupting a membrane of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis microbe in response to the contacting.

BACKGROUND

The subject disclosure relates to one or more ionene compositions withantimicrobial functionality, and more specifically, to one or moreionene compositions capable of killing and/or preventing growth of apathogen.

SUMMARY

The following presents a summary to provide a basic understanding of oneor more embodiments of the invention. This summary is not intended toidentify key or critical elements, or delineate any scope of theparticular embodiments or any scope of the claims. Its sole purpose isto present concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the moredetailed description that is presented later. In one or more embodimentsdescribed herein, methods and/or compositions regarding ionenecompositions with antimicrobial functionality are described.

According to an embodiment, a method is provided. The method cancomprise contacting a Mycobacterium tuberculosis microbe with a chemicalcompound. The chemical compound can comprise an ionene unit. Also, theionene unit can comprise a cation distributed along a molecularbackbone. The ionene unit can have antimicrobial functionality. Themethod can further comprise electrostatically disrupting a membrane ofthe Mycobacterium tuberculosis microbe in response to the contacting.

According to another embodiment, a method is provided. The method cancomprise contacting a Mycobacterium avium complex microbe with achemical compound. The chemical compound can comprise an ionene unit.Also, the ionene unit can comprise a cation distributed along amolecular backbone. The ionene unit can have antimicrobialfunctionality. The method can further comprise electrostaticallydisrupting a membrane of the Mycobacterium avium complex microbe inresponse to the contacting.

According to another embodiment, a method is provided. The method cancomprise contacting a pathogen with a chemical compound. The chemicalcompound can comprise an ionene unit. The ionene unit can comprise acation distributed along a molecular backbone. Additionally, themolecular backbone can comprise a bis(urea)guanidinium structure, andthe ionene unit can have antimicrobial functionality. The method canfurther comprise electrostatically disrupting a membrane of the pathogenin response to the contacting.

According to another embodiment, a method is provided. The method cancomprise contacting a pathogen with a chemical compound. The chemicalcompound can comprise an ionene unit. Also, the ionene unit can comprisea cation distributed along a molecular backbone. The molecular backbonecan comprise a terephthalamide structure, and the ionene unit can haveantimicrobial functionality. The method can further compriseelectrostatically disrupting a membrane of the pathogen in response tothe contacting.

According to another embodiment, a method is provided. The method cancomprise targeting a pathogen with a chemical compound throughelectrostatic interaction between the chemical compound and a membraneof the pathogen. The chemical compound can comprise an ionene unit. Theionene unit can comprise a cation distributed along a molecularbackbone. Additionally, the ionene unit can comprise a hydrophobicfunctional group covalently bonded to the molecular backbone. The methodcan further comprise destabilizing the membrane of the pathogen throughintegration of the hydrophobic functional group into the membrane of thepathogen.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A illustrates a diagram of an example, non-limiting ionene unit inaccordance with one or more embodiments described herein.

FIG. 1B illustrates a diagram of an example, non-limiting lysis processthat can be performed by one or more ionene units in accordance with oneor more embodiments described herein.

FIG. 2 illustrates a diagram of example, non-limiting chemical formulasthat can characterize one or more ionene units in accordance with one ormore embodiments described herein.

FIG. 3 illustrates a diagram of an example, non-limiting ionenecomposition that can be utilized in accordance with one or moreembodiments described herein.

FIG. 4 illustrates a diagram of example, non-limiting ionenecompositions that can be utilized in accordance with one or moreembodiments described herein.

FIG. 5 illustrates a diagram of example, non-limiting ionenecompositions that can be utilized in accordance with one or moreembodiments described herein.

FIG. 6 illustrates a flow diagram of an example, non-limiting methodthat can facilitate killing of a Mycobacterium tuberculosis microbe inaccordance with one or more embodiments described herein.

FIG. 7 illustrates a flow diagram of an example, non-limiting methodthat can facilitate killing of a Mycobacterium avium complex microbe inaccordance with one or more embodiments described herein.

FIG. 8 illustrates a flow diagram of an example, non-limiting methodthat can facilitate killing of a pathogen in accordance with one or moreembodiments described herein.

FIG. 9 illustrates a flow diagram of an example, non-limiting methodthat can facilitate killing of a pathogen in accordance with one or moreembodiments described herein.

FIG. 10 illustrates a flow diagram of an example, non-limiting methodthat can facilitate killing of a pathogen in accordance with one or moreembodiments described herein.

FIG. 11 illustrates three micrographs of an example, non-limiting lysisprocess in accordance with one or more embodiments described herein.

FIG. 12A illustrates a diagram of an example, non-limiting chart thatcan depict antimicrobial efficacy of one or more ionene compositions inaccordance with one or more embodiments described herein.

FIG. 12B illustrates a diagram of an example, non-limiting chart thatcan depict antimicrobial efficacy of one or more ionene compositions inaccordance with one or more embodiments described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description is merely illustrative and is notintended to limit embodiments and/or application or uses of embodiments.Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any expressed orimplied information presented in the preceding Background or Summarysections, or in the Detailed Description section.

One or more embodiments are now described with reference to thedrawings, wherein like referenced numerals are used to refer to likeelements throughout. In the following description, for purposes ofexplanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to providea more thorough understanding of the one or more embodiments. It isevident, however, in various cases, that the one or more embodiments canbe practiced without these specific details.

The discovery and refinement of antibiotics was one of the crowningachievements in the 20^(th) century that revolutionized healthcaretreatment. For example, antibiotics such as penicillin, ciprofloxacinand, doxycycline can achieve microbial selectivity through targeting anddisruption of a specific prokaryotic metabolism, while concurrently,remaining benign toward eukaryotic cells to afford high selectivity. Ifproperly dosed, they could eradicate infection. Unfortunately, thistherapeutic specificity of antibiotics also leads to their undoing asunder-dosing (incomplete kill) allows for minor mutative changes thatmitigate the effect of the antibiotic leading to resistance development.Consequently, nosocomial infections, caused by medication-resistantmicrobes such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA),multi-medication-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa andvancomycin-resistant Enterococci (VRE) have become more prevalent. Anadded complexity is the pervasive use of antimicrobial agents inself-care products, sanitizers and hospital cleaners etc, includinganilide, bis-phenols, biguanides and quaternary ammonium compounds,where a major concern is the development of cross- and co-resistancewith clinically used antibiotics, especially in a hospital setting.Another unfortunate feature with triclosan, for example, is itscumulative and persistent effects in the skin. Moreover, biofilms havebeen associated with numerous nosocomial infections and implant failure,yet the eradication of biofilms is an unmet challenge to this date.Since antibiotics are not able to penetrate through extracellularpolymeric substance that encapsulates bacteria in the biofilm, furthercomplexities exist that lead to the development of medicationresistance.

Current antibiotic therapies are inefficient to treat biofilm protectedand intracellular infections such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis (TB) andrelated strains, allowing bacteria to establish chronic medicationresistant infections. The Gates Foundation estimates that 8.6 millionnew TB cases are reported each year resulting in 1.3 million deathsworldwide. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates approximately 9to 10 million new TB cases per year. Pulmonary non-tuberculosismycobacteria (NTM) cases, including Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC),are estimated by some experts to be at least ten times more common thanTB in the U.S., with at least 150,000 new cases per year. Given thereduction of effective treatment options for TB and MAC, and diminishedantibiotic discovery and development pipeline, a new therapeuticdevelopment paradigm is needed for perpetual treatment of increasinglyresistant TB and MAC infections.

TB and other mycobacteria strains including MAC can be extremelydifficult to eradicate compared to other types of bacteria due to theirability to encapsulate bacterial colonies with extracellular biofilmsecretions to block existing antibiotic activity. However, chemicalcompounds having a cationic charge can provide electrostatic disruptionof the bacterial membrane interaction. Furthermore, cationic polymerscan be readily made amphiphilic with addition of hydrophobic regionspermitting both membrane association and integration/lysis. Theamphiphilic balance has shown to play an important effect not only inthe antimicrobial properties but also in the hemolytic activity. Many ofthese antimicrobial chemical compounds can show relatively lowselectivity as defined by the relative toxicity to mammalian cells orhemolysis relative to pathogens.

Various embodiments described herein can regard chemical compoundsand/or methods that can target mycolic acid, a cell wall component ofthe Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) bacilli, using a mechanism ofaction that can prevent resistance development and can avoid nonspecifictoxicity. For example, one or more embodiments described herein cancomprise small molecular compounds and macromolecular chemicalcompounds, which can have bis(urea)guanidinium functionalities. Thebis(urea)guanidine structure can allow for a unique combination ofhydrogen-bonding capabilities with strong association constants with themycolic acid. Collectively, ionic interactions associated with thecationic charges on the chemical compounds together with the hydrogenbonding associated with the bis(urea)guanidine structures can provide acooperative but orthogonal association with Mtb through the mycolic acidthat can amplify the targeting, selectivity and potency towards Mtb.Further, said physical interactions can prevent resistance development.Additionally, one or more embodiments described herein (e.g., methods ofkilling a pathogen comprising one or more chemical compounds having abis(urea)guanidinium structure) can exhibit negligible toxicity againstL929 mouse fibroblast cell line, and cell viability can be more than 85%after 48-h incubation with the compound at 250 micrograms per milliliter(μg/mL), which is well above its minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC)(e.g., 2-4 μg/mL).

As used herein, the term “ionene” can refer to a polymer unit, acopolymer unit, and/or a monomer unit that can comprise a nitrogencation and/or a phosphorus cation distributed along, and/or locatedwithin, a molecular backbone, thereby providing a positive charge.Example nitrogen cations include, but are not limited to: quaternaryammonium cations, protonated secondary amine cations, protonatedtertiary amine cations, and/or imidazolium cations. Example, phosphoruscations include, but are not limited to: quaternary phosphonium cations,protonated secondary phosphine cations, and protonated tertiaryphosphine cations. As used herein, the term “molecular backbone” canrefer to a central chain of covalently bonded atoms that form theprimary structure of a molecule. In various embodiments describedherein, side chains can be formed by bonding one or more functionalgroups to a molecular backbone. As used herein, the term “polyionene”can refer to a polymer that can comprise a plurality of ionenes. Forexample, a polyionene can comprise a repeating ionene.

FIG. 1A illustrates a diagram of an example, non-limiting ionene unit100 in accordance with one or more embodiments described herein. Theionene unit 100 can comprise a molecular backbone 102, one or morecations 104, and/or one or more hydrophobic functional groups 106. Invarious embodiments, an ionene and/or a polyionene described herein cancomprise the ionene unit 100. For example, a polyionene described hereincan comprise a plurality of ionenes bonded together, wherein the bondedionenes can have a composition exemplified by ionene unit 100.

The molecular backbone 102 can comprise a plurality of covalently bondedatoms (illustrated as circles in FIGS. 1A and 1B). The atoms can bebonded in any desirable formation, including, but not limited to: chainformations, ring formations, and/or a combination thereof. The molecularbackbone 102 can comprise one or more chemical structures including, butnot limited to: alkyl structures, aryl structures, alkane structures,aldehyde structures, ester structures, carboxyl structures, carbonylstructures, amine structures, amide structures, phosphide structures,phosphine structures, a combination thereof, and/or the like. One ofordinary skill in the art will recognize that the number of atoms thatcan comprise the molecular backbone can vary depending of the desiredfunction of the ionene unit 100. For example, while nineteen atoms areillustrated in FIG. 1A, a molecular backbone 102 that can comprisedozens, hundreds, and/or thousands of atoms is also envisaged.

Located within the molecular backbone 102 are one or more cations 104.As described above, the one or more cations 104 can comprise nitrogencations and/or phosphorous cations. The cations 104 can be distributedalong the molecular backbone 102, covalently bonded to other atomswithin the molecular backbone 102. In various embodiments, the one ormore cations 104 can comprise at least a portion of the molecularbackbone 102. One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that thenumber of a cations 104 that can comprise the ionene unit 100 can varydepending of the desired function of the ionene unit 100. For example,while two cations 104 are illustrated in FIG. 1A, an ionene unit 100that can comprise dozens, hundreds, and/or thousands of cations 104 isalso envisaged. Further, while FIG. 1A illustrates a plurality ofcations 104 evenly spaced apart, other configurations wherein thecations 104 are not evenly spaced apart are also envisaged. Also, theone or more cations 104 can be located at respective ends of themolecular backbone 102 and/or at intermediate portions of the molecularbackbone 102, between two or more ends of the molecular backbone 102.The one or more cations 104 can provide a positive charge to one or morelocations of the ionene unit 100.

The one or more hydrophobic functional groups 106 can be bonded to themolecular backbone 102 to form a side chain. The one or more of thehydrophobic functional groups 106 can be attached to the molecularbackbone 102 via bonding with a cation 104. Additionally, one or morehydrophobic functional groups 106 can be bonded to an electricallyneutral atom of the molecular backbone 102. The ionene unit 100 cancomprise one or more hydrophobic functional groups 106 bonded to: one ormore ends of the molecular backbone 102, all ends of the molecularbackbone 102, an intermediate portion (e.g., a portion between two ends)of the molecular backbone 102, and/or a combination thereof.

While a biphenyl group is illustrated in FIG. 1A as the hydrophobicfunctional group 106, other functional groups that are hydrophobic arealso envisaged. Example, hydrophobic functional groups 106 can include,but are not limited to: alkyl structures, aryl structures, alkanestructures, aldehyde structures, ester structures, carboxyl structures,carbonyl structures, carbonate structures, alcohol structures, acombination thereof, and/or the like. In various embodiments, the one ormore hydrophobic functional groups 106 can comprise the same structure.In other embodiments, one or more of the hydrophobic functional groups106 can comprise a first structure and one or more other hydrophobicfunctional groups 106 can comprise another structure.

FIG. 1B illustrates a diagram of an example, non-limiting lysis process108 that can be facilitated by the ionene unit 100 in accordance withone or more embodiments described herein. Repetitive description of likeelements employed in other embodiments described herein is omitted forsake of brevity. The lysis process 108 can comprise a plurality ofstages, which can collectively comprise an attack mechanism that can beperformed by the ionene unit 100 against a pathogen cell. Examplepathogen cells can include, but are not limited to: Gram-positivebacteria cells, Gram-negative bacteria cells, fungi cells, yeast cells,Mycobacterium tuberculosis microbes, Mycobacterium avium complexmicrobes, and/or Mycobacterium abscesus microbes.

The target pathogen cell can comprise a membrane having a phospholipidbilayer 110. In various embodiments, the membrane can be anextracellular matrix. The phospholipid bilayer 110 can comprise aplurality of membrane molecules 112 covalently bonded together, and themembrane molecules 112 can comprise a hydrophilic head 114 and one ormore hydrophobic tails 116. Further, one or more of the plurality ofmembrane molecules 112 can be negatively charged (as illustrated in FIG.1B with a “-” symbol).

At 118, electrostatic interaction can occur between the positivelycharged cations 104 of the ionene unit 100 and one or more negativelycharged membrane molecules 112. For example, the negative charge of oneor more membrane molecules 112 can attract the ionene unit 100 towardsthe membrane (e.g., the phospholipid bilayer 110). Also, theelectrostatic interaction can electrostatically disrupt the integrity ofthe membrane (e.g., phospholipid bilayer 110). Once the ionene unit 100has been attracted to the membrane (e.g., phospholipid bilayer 110),hydrophobic membrane integration can occur at 120. For example, at 120one or more hydrophobic functional groups 106 of the ionene unit 100 canbegin to integrate themselves into the phospholipid bilayer 110. Whilethe positively charged portions of the ionene unit 100 are attracted,and electrostatically disrupting, one or more negatively chargedmembrane molecules 112 (e.g., one or more hydrophilic heads 114), theone or more hydrophobic functional groups 106 can insert themselvesbetween the hydrophilic heads 114 to enter a hydrophobic region createdby the plurality of hydrophobic tails 116.

As a result of the mechanisms occurring at 118 and/or 120,destabilization of the membrane (e.g., the phospholipid bilayer 110) canoccur at 122. For example, the one or more hydrophobic functional groups106 can serve to cleave one or more negatively charged membranemolecules 112 from adjacent membrane molecules 112, and the positivelycharged ionene unit 100 can move the cleaved membrane segment (e.g.,that can comprise one or more negatively charged membrane molecules 112and/or one or more neutral membrane molecules 112 constituting a layerof the phospholipid bilayer 110) away from adjacent segments of themembrane (e.g., adjacent segments of the phospholipid bilayer 110). Ascleaved segments of the membrane (e.g., the phospholipid bilayer 110)are pulled away, they can fully detach from other membrane molecules 112at 124, thereby forming gaps in the membrane (e.g., the phospholipidbilayer 110). The formed gaps can contribute to lysis of the subjectpathogen cell. In various embodiments, a plurality of ionene units 100can perform the lysis process 108 on a cell simultaneously. Furthermore,the ionene units 100 participating in a lysis process 108 need notperform the same stages of the attack mechanism at the same time.

FIG. 2 illustrates a diagram of example, non-limiting chemical formulasthat can characterize one or more ionene compositions in accordance withone or more embodiments described herein. Repetitive description of likeelements employed in other embodiments described herein is omitted forsake of brevity. The first chemical formula 200 can characterize one ormore ionene units 100 comprising a molecular backbone 102 with one ormore terephthalamide structures. The second chemical formula 202 cancharacterize one or more ionene units with a molecular backbone 102comprising one or more bis(urea)guanidinium structures. The chemicalformulas depicted in FIG. 2 (e.g., the first chemical formula 200 and/orthe second chemical formula 202) can comprise monomers and/or polymers(e.g., homopolymers, alternating copolymers, and/or random copolymers).In addition, the one or more ionene units 100 that can be characterizedby the first chemical formula 200 can be bonded to one or more otherionene units 100 that can be characterized by the second chemicalformula 200 to form one or more chemical compounds (e.g., ionenes,polyionones, monomers, and/or polymers).

As shown in FIG. 2, an ionene unit 100 characterized by the firstchemical formula 200 and/or the second chemical formula 202 can comprisea degradable molecular backbone 102. In one or more embodiments, anionene unit 100 characterized by the first chemical formula 200 can bederived from polyethylene terephthalate (“PET”), wherein the one or moreterephthalamide structures can be derived from the PET. However, one ormore embodiments of the first chemical formula 200 can comprise one ormore terephthalamide structures derived from one or more molecules otherthan PET. In various embodiments, an ionene unit 100 characterized bythe second chemical formula 202 can be derived from1,3-bis(butoxycarbonyl)guanidine, wherein the one or more guanidiniumgroups can be derived from the 1,3-bis(butoxycarbonyl)guanidine.However, one or more embodiments of the second chemical formula 202 cancomprise one or more bis(urea)guanidinium structures derived from one ormore molecules other than 1,3-bis(butoxycarbonyl)guanidine.

The “X” in FIG. 2 can represent the one or more cations 104. Forexample, “X” can represent one or more cations 104 selected from a groupthat can include, but is not limited to: one or more nitrogen cations,one or more phosphorus cations, and/or a combination thereof. Forinstance, “X” can represent one or more nitrogen cations selected from agroup that can include, but is not limited to: one or more protonatedsecondary amine cations, one or more protonated tertiary amine cations,one or more quaternary ammonium cations, one or more imidazoliumcations, and/or a combination thereof. In another instance, “X” canrepresent one or more phosphorus cations selected from a group that caninclude, but is not limited to: one or more protonated secondaryphosphine cations, one or more protonated tertiary phosphine cations,one or more quaternary phosphonium cations, and/or a combinationthereof.

The one or more cations 104 (e.g., represented by “X” in the firstchemical formula 200 and/or the second chemical formula 202) can becovalently bonded to one or more linkage groups to form, at least aportion, of the degradable molecular backbone 102. The one or morelinkage groups can link the one or more cations 104 to one or moreterephthalamide structures (e.g., as characterized by the first chemicalformula 200) and/or one or more bis(urea)guanidinium structures (e.g.,as characterized by the second chemical formula 202), thereby comprisingthe molecular backbone 102. The “L” in FIG. 2 can represent the one ormore linkage groups. The one or more linkage groups can comprise anystructure in compliance with the various features of the molecularbackbone 102 described herein. For example, the one or more linkagegroups can have any desirable formation, including, but not limited to:chain formations, ring formations, and/or a combination thereof. The oneor more linkage groups can comprise one or more chemical structuresincluding, but not limited to: alkyl structures, aryl structures,alkenyl structures, aldehyde structures, ester structures, carboxylstructures, carbonyl structures, a combination thereof, and/or the like.For instance, “L” can represent one or more linkage groups that cancomprise an alkyl chain having greater than or equal to two carbon atomsand less than or equal to 15 carbon atoms.

As shown in FIG. 2, in various embodiments, one or more ionene units 100characterized by the first chemical formula 200 and/or the secondchemical formula 202 can comprise cations 104 (e.g., represented by “X”)at a plurality of locations along the molecular backbone 102. Forexample, cations 104 can be located at either end of the molecularbackbone 102 (e.g., as illustrated in FIG. 2). However, in one or moreembodiments of the first chemical formula 200 and/or the second chemicalformula 202, the molecular backbone 102 can comprise less or morecations 104 than the two illustrated in FIG. 2.

Further, the “R” shown in FIG. 2 can represent the one or morehydrophobic functional groups 106 in accordance with the variousembodiments described herein. For example, the one or more hydrophobicfunctional groups 106 can comprise one or more alkyl groups and/or oneor more aryl groups. For instance, the hydrophobic functional group 106can be derived from one or more dialkyl halides. Example dialkyl halidescan include, but are not are not limited to: p-xylylene dichloride,4,4′-bis(chloromethyl)biphenyl; 1,4-bis(bromomethyl)benzene;4,4′-bis(bromomethyl)biphenyl; 1,4-bis(iodomethyl)benzene;1,6-dibromohexane; 1,8-dibromooctane; 1,12-dibromododecane;1,6-dichlorohexane; 1,8-dichlorooctane; a combination thereof; and/orthe like. The one or more hydrophobic functional groups 106 (e.g.,represented by “R” in FIG. 2) can be covalently bonded to one or more ofthe cations 104 (e.g., represented by “X” in FIG. 2) and/or themolecular backbone 102, which can comprise the one or more cations 104(e.g., represented by “X” in FIG. 2), one or more linkage groups (e.g.,represented by “L” in FIG. 2), and/or one or more bis(urea)guanidiniumstructures and/or terephthalamide structures.

In one or more embodiments, one or more ionene units 100 characterizedby the first chemical formula 200 can also comprise one or morehydrophilic functional groups. The one or more hydrophilic functionalgroups can: increase degradability of the one or more ionene units 100,impart carbohydrate mimetic functionality to the one or more ioneneunits 100, and/or increase mobility (e.g., intracellular mobility) ofthe one or more ionene units 100. For example, the one or morehydrophilic functional groups can be derived from a polyol and have oneor more hydroxyl functional groups. In another example, the one or morehydrophilic functional groups can be derived from a block polymer, canbe water-soluble, can be bioinert, and/or can comprise one or more ethergroups.

Additionally, one or more ionene units 100 characterized by the secondchemical formula 202 can have supramolecular functionality. For example,the one or more bis(urea)guanidinium structures can facilitatesupramolecular assembly of the one or more ionene units 100 to form asupramolecule.

Moreover, an ionene and/or polyionene characterized by the firstchemical formula 200 and/or the second chemical formula 202 can comprisea single ionene unit 100 or a repeating ionene unit 100. For example,the “n” shown in FIG. 2 can represent a first integer greater than orequal to one and less than or equal to one thousand.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example, non-limiting first ionene composition 302comprising an ionene unit 100 in accordance with one or more embodimentsdescribed herein. Repetitive description of like elements employed inother embodiments described herein is omitted for sake of brevity. Forexample, the first ionene composition 302 can be in accordance with thevarious features described herein regarding FIG. 1A-1B. The one or morecations 104 comprising the first ionene composition 302 can bequaternary ammonium cations. Additionally, the one or more hydrophobicfunctional groups 106 comprising the first ionene composition 302 can bean aromatic ring along the first ionene composition's 302 molecularbackbone 102. Moreover, the “n” shown in FIG. 3 can represent an integergreater than or equal to one and less than or equal to one thousand.

FIG. 4 illustrates example, non-limiting ionene compositions that can becharacterized by the first chemical formula 200 in accordance with oneor more embodiments described herein. Repetitive description of likeelements employed in other embodiments described herein is omitted forsake of brevity. The “n” shown in FIG. 4 can represent an integergreater than or equal to one and less than or equal to one thousand. The“m” shown in FIG. 4 can represent another integer greater than or equalto one and less than or equal to one thousand. The “x” shown in FIG. 4can represent another integer greater than or equal to one and less thanor equal to one thousand. The “y” shown in FIG. 4 can represent anotherinteger greater than or equal to one and less than or equal to onethousand. The ionene compositions depicted in FIG. 4 can comprisemonomers and/or polymers (e.g., homopolymers, alternating copolymers,and/or random copolymers).

The second ionene composition 402 (e.g., comprising an ionene unit 100that can be characterized by the first chemical formula 200) cancomprise a degradable molecular backbone 102 having one or moreterephthalamide structures. The one or more cations 104 of the secondcomposition 402 can be quaternary ammonium cations. Further, the one ormore hydrophobic functional groups 106 can comprise one or more aromaticrings bonded to one or more of the cations 104 (e.g., one or morequaternary ammonium cations).

The third ionene composition 404 (e.g., comprising an ionene unit 100that can be characterized by the first chemical formula 200) cancomprise a degradable molecular backbone 102 having one or moreterephthalamide structures. The one or more cations 104 of the thirdcomposition 404 can be quaternary ammonium cations. Further, the one ormore hydrophobic functional groups 106 can comprise one or more aromaticrings bonded to one or more of the cations 104 (e.g., one or morequaternary ammonium cations). Moreover, the third ionene composition 404can comprise one or more hydrophilic functional groups. The one or morehydrophilic functional groups can be: derived from a block polymer,water-soluble, and/or bioinert. The one or more hydrophilic functionalgroups can be bonded to one or more cations 104 (e.g., quaternaryammonium cations). For example, the one or more hydrophilic functionalgroups can comprise a poly(propylene glycol)-block-poly(ethyleneglycol)-block-poly(propylene glycol) bis(2-aminopropyl ether) (ED)structure having a molecular weight greater than or equal to 1900 gramsper mole (g/mol) and less than or equal to 2200 g/mol (ED₂₀₀₀).

The fourth ionene composition 406 (e.g., comprising an ionene unit 100that can be characterized by the first chemical formula 200) cancomprise a degradable molecular backbone 102 having one or moreterephthalamide structures. The one or more cations 104 of the fourthcomposition 406 can be quaternary ammonium cations. Further, the one ormore hydrophobic functional groups 106 can comprise one or more aromaticrings bonded to one or more of the cations 104 (e.g., one or morequaternary ammonium cations). Moreover, the fourth ionene composition406 can comprise one or more hydrophilic functional groups. The one ormore hydrophilic functional groups can be derived from a polyol, cancomprise one or more hydroxyl groups, and/or can exhibit carbohydratemimetic functionality. Also, the one or more hydrophilic functionalgroups can be bonded to the one or more hydrophobic functional groups106. In addition, the one or more hydrophilic functional groups cancomprise additional cations 104 (e.g., quaternary ammonium cations).

The fifth ionene composition 408 (e.g., comprising an ionene unit 100that can be characterized by the first chemical formula 200) cancomprise a degradable molecular backbone 102 having one or moreterephthalamide structures. The one or more cations 104 of the fifthcomposition 408 can be imidazolium cations. Further, the one or morehydrophobic functional groups 106 can comprise one or more alkyl chainsbonded to one or more of the cations 104 (e.g., one or more imidazoliumcations).

The sixth ionene composition 410 (e.g., comprising an ionene unit 100that can be characterized by the first chemical formula 200) cancomprise a degradable molecular backbone 102 having one or moreterephthalamide structures. The one or more cations 104 of the sixthcomposition 410 can be quaternary ammonium cations. Further, the one ormore hydrophobic functional groups 106 can comprise one or more aromaticrings bonded to one or more of the cations 104 (e.g., one or morequaternary ammonium cations). Moreover, the sixth ionene composition 410can comprise one or more hydrophilic functional groups. The one or morehydrophilic functional groups can comprise one or more ether groups.Also, the one or more hydrophilic functional groups can be bonded to theone or more hydrophobic functional groups 106. In addition, the one ormore hydrophilic functional groups can comprise additional cations 104(e.g., quaternary ammonium cations).

The seventh ionene composition 412 (e.g., comprising an ionene unit 100that can be characterized by the first chemical formula 200) cancomprise a degradable molecular backbone 102 having a plurality ofterephthalamide structures. The one or more cations 104 of the seventhcomposition 412 can be quaternary ammonium cations. Further, the one ormore hydrophobic functional groups 106 can comprise one or more aromaticrings, and can be bonded to one or more of the cations 104 (e.g., one ormore quaternary ammonium cations). Moreover, the seventh ionenecomposition 412 can comprise one or more hydrophilic functional groups.The one or more hydrophilic functional groups can be: derived from ablock polymer, water-soluble, and/or bioinert. The one or morehydrophilic functional groups can be bonded to one or more cations 104(e.g., quaternary ammonium cations). Also, the one or more hydrophilicfunctional groups can comprise one or more ether groups.

The eighth ionene composition 414 (e.g., comprising an ionene unit 100in accordance with FIG. 1A) can comprise a molecular backbone 102comprising one or more ether groups. The one or more cations 104 of theeighth ionene composition 414 can be quaternary ammonium cations.Further, the one or more hydrophobic functional groups 106 can compriseone or more aromatic rings, and can be bonded to one or more cations 104(e.g., one or more quaternary ammonium cations).

FIG. 5 illustrates example, non-limiting ionene compositions that can becharacterized by the second chemical formula 202 in accordance with oneor more embodiments described herein. Repetitive description of likeelements employed in other embodiments described herein is omitted forsake of brevity. The “n” shown in FIG. 5 can represent an integergreater than or equal to one and less than or equal to one thousand. Theionene compositions depicted in FIG. 5 can comprise monomers and/orpolymers (e.g., homopolymers, alternating copolymers, and/or randomcopolymers).

The ninth ionene composition 502 (e.g., comprising an ionene unit 100that can be characterized by the second chemical formula 202) cancomprise a degradable molecular backbone 102 having one or morebis(urea)guanidinium structures. The one or more cations 104 of theninth composition 502 can be quaternary ammonium cations. Further, theone or more hydrophobic functional groups 106 can comprise one or morearomatic rings bonded to one or more of the cations 104 (e.g., one ormore quaternary ammonium cations).

The tenth ionene composition 504 (e.g., comprising an ionene unit 100that can be characterized by the second chemical formula 202) cancomprise a degradable molecular backbone 102 having one or morebis(urea)guanidinium structures. The one or more cations 104 of thesecond composition 402 can be imidazolium cations. Further, the one ormore hydrophobic functional groups 106 can comprise one or more aromaticrings bonded to one or more of the cations 104 (e.g., one or moreimidazolium cations).

The eleventh ionene composition 506 (e.g., comprising an ionene unit 100that can be characterized by the second chemical formula 202) cancomprise a degradable molecular backbone 102 having a plurality ofbis(urea)guanidinium structures. The one or more cations 104 of thesecond composition 402 can be imidazolium cations. Further, the one ormore hydrophobic functional groups 106 can comprise one or more aromaticrings bonded to one or more of the cations 104 (e.g., one or moreimidazolium cations). For example, one or more of the hydrophobicfunctional groups 106 can be bonded to two or more cations 104 (e.g.,two or more imidazolium cations). In one or more embodiments, theeleventh ionene composition 506 can be further modified (e.g.,functionalized). For example, one or more additional functional groupscan replace and/or modify one or more of the tert-butyl groups locatedat the peripheries of the eleventh ionene composition 506. For instance,Scheme 1, presented below, can depict an exemplary modification to theeleventh ionene composition.

FIG. 6 illustrates a flow diagram of an example, non-limiting method 600that can facilitate killing a Mycobacterium tuberculosis microbe,preventing the growth of a Mycobacterium tuberculosis microbe, and/orpreventing contamination by a Mycobacterium tuberculosis microbe.Repetitive description of like elements employed in other embodimentsdescribed herein is omitted for sake of brevity.

At 602, the method 600 can comprise contacting a Mycobacteriumtuberculosis microbe with one or more chemical compounds. The one ormore chemical compounds can comprise one or more ionene units 100 (e.g.,characterized by the first chemical formula 200 and/or the secondchemical formula 202). The one or more ionene units 100 can comprise oneor more cations 104 (e.g., represented by “X” in FIG. 2) distributedalong a molecular backbone 102. The one or more cations 104 can comprisenitrogen cations and/or phosphorus cations. Example nitrogen cations caninclude, but are not limited to: protonated secondary amine cations,protonated tertiary amine cations, quaternary ammonium cations, and/orimidazolium cations. Example phosphorus cations can include, but are notlimited to: protonated secondary phosphine cations, protonated tertiaryphosphine cations, and/or quaternary phosphonium cations. The molecularbackbone 102 can be degradable. Further, the molecular backbone 102 cancomprise one or more terephthalamide structures and/or one or morebis(urea)guanidinium structures. The one or more ionene units 100 canhave: antimicrobial functionality, supramolecular assemblyfunctionality, and/or carbohydrate mimetic functionality.

At 604, the method 600 can comprise electrostatically disrupting amembrane of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis microbe in response to thecontacting at 602. The membrane of the Mycobacterium tuberculosismicrobe can comprise a phospholipid bilayer as described regarding FIG.1B. Further, the electrostatic disruption at 604 can be facilitated byone or more interactions between the one or more cations 104 of theionene unit 100 and/or one or more negatively charged membrane molecules112 that can comprise the membrane of the Mycobacterium tuberculosismicrobe.

Furthermore, the ionene unit 100 can comprise one or more hydrophobicfunctional groups 106. The one or more hydrophobic functional groups 106can be derived from dialkyl halides and can comprise alkyl and/or arylstructures. Additionally, the one or more hydrophobic functional groups106 can be covalently bonded to the molecular backbone 102 (e.g., viabonding with one or more cations 104). Additionally, the method 600 canfurther comprise destabilizing the membrane of the Mycobacteriumtuberculosis microbe through integration of the hydrophobic functionalgroup 106 into the membrane (e.g., as depict at 120 and/or 122 of thelysis process 108).

In one or more embodiments, the ionene unit 100 can further comprise oneor more hydrophilic functional groups. The one or more hydrophilicfunctional groups can: increase degradability of the one or more ioneneunits 100, impart carbohydrate mimetic functionality to the one or moreionene units 100, and/or increase mobility (e.g., intracellularmobility) of the one or more ionene units 100. For example, the one ormore hydrophilic functional groups can be derived from a polyol and haveone or more hydroxyl functional groups. In another example, the one ormore hydrophilic functional groups can be derived from a block polymer,can be water-soluble, can be bioinert, and/or can comprise one or moreether groups.

In one or more embodiments, the one or more ionene units 100 cansupramolecularly assemble with the Mycobacterium tuberculosis microbe.For example, one or more bis(urea)guanidinium structures comprising themolecular backbone 102 of the one or more ionene units 100 canfacilitate supramolecular assembly of the one or more chemical compoundswith the Mycobacterium tuberculosis microbe to form a supramolecularassembly.

Thus, the one or more chemical compounds can be monomers (e.g., ionenes)and/or polymers (e.g., polyionenes such as homopolymers, alternatingcopolymers, and/or random copolymers). The one or more ionene units 100comprising the one or more compounds utilized in method 600 can becharacterized by the first chemical formula 200 and/or the secondchemical formula 202. For example, the one or more chemical compoundscan comprise any of the ionene compositions described herein (e.g., withregard to FIGS. 3-5). Additionally, the method 600 can facilitateconducting a lysis process 108 regarding the Mycobacterium tuberculosismicrobe.

FIG. 7 illustrates a flow diagram of an example, non-limiting method 700that can facilitate killing a Mycobacterium avium complex microbe,preventing the growth of a Mycobacterium avium complex microbe, and/orpreventing contamination by a Mycobacterium avium complex microbe.Repetitive description of like elements employed in other embodimentsdescribed herein is omitted for sake of brevity.

At 702, the method 700 can comprise contacting a Mycobacterium aviumcomplex microbe with one or more chemical compounds. The one or morechemical compounds can comprise one or more ionene units 100 (e.g.,characterized by the first chemical formula 200 and/or the secondchemical formula 202). The one or more ionene units 100 can comprise oneor more cations 104 (e.g., represented by “X” in FIG. 2) distributedalong a molecular backbone 102. The one or more cations 104 can comprisenitrogen cations and/or phosphorus cations. Example nitrogen cations caninclude, but are not limited to: protonated secondary amine cations,protonated tertiary amine cations, quaternary ammonium cations, and/orimidazolium cations. Example phosphorus cations can include, but are notlimited to: protonated secondary phosphine cations, protonated tertiaryphosphine cations, and/or quaternary phosphonium cations. The molecularbackbone 102 can be degradable. Further, the molecular backbone 102 cancomprise one or more terephthalamide structures and/or one or morebis(urea)guanidinium structures. The one or more ionene units 100 canhave: antimicrobial functionality, supramolecular assemblyfunctionality, and/or carbohydrate mimetic functionality.

At 704, the method 700 can comprise electrostatically disrupting amembrane of the Mycobacterium avium complex microbe in response to thecontacting at 702. The membrane of the Mycobacterium avium complexmicrobe can comprise a phospholipid bilayer 110 as described regardingFIG. 1B. Further, the electrostatic disruption at 704 can be facilitatedby one or more interactions between the one or more cations 104 of theionene unit 100 and/or one or more negatively charged membrane molecules112 that can comprise the membrane of the Mycobacterium avium complexmicrobe.

Furthermore, the ionene unit 100 can comprise one or more hydrophobicfunctional groups 106. The one or more hydrophobic functional groups 106can be derived from dialkyl halides and can comprise alkyl and/or arylstructures. Additionally, the one or more hydrophobic functional groups106 can be covalently bonded to the molecular backbone 102 (e.g., viabonding with one or more cations 104). Additionally, the method 700 canfurther comprise destabilizing the membrane of the Mycobacterium aviumcomplex microbe through integration of the hydrophobic functional group106 into the membrane (e.g., as depict at 120 and/or 122 of the lysisprocess 108).

In one or more embodiments, the ionene unit 100 can further comprise oneor more hydrophilic functional groups. The one or more hydrophilicfunctional groups can: increase degradability of the one or more ioneneunits 100, impart carbohydrate mimetic functionality to the one or moreionene units 100, and/or increase mobility (e.g., intracellularmobility) of the one or more ionene units 100. For example, the one ormore hydrophilic functional groups can be derived from a polyol and haveone or more hydroxyl functional groups. In another example, the one ormore hydrophilic functional groups can be derived from a block polymer,can be water-soluble, can be bioinert, and/or can comprise one or moreether groups.

Thus, the one or more chemical compounds can be monomers (e.g., ionenes)and/or polymers (e.g., polyionenes such as homopolymers, alternatingcopolymers, and/or random copolymers). The one or more ionene units 100comprising the one or more compounds utilized in method 700 can becharacterized by the first chemical formula 200 and/or the secondchemical formula 202. For example, the one or more chemical compoundscan comprise any of the ionene compositions described herein (e.g., withregard to FIGS. 3-5). Additionally, the method 700 can facilitateconducting a lysis process 108 regarding the Mycobacterium avium complexmicrobe.

FIG. 8 illustrates a flow diagram of an example, non-limiting method 800that can facilitate killing a pathogen, preventing the growth of apathogen, and/or preventing contamination by a pathogen. Repetitivedescription of like elements employed in other embodiments describedherein is omitted for sake of brevity. Example pathogens can include,but are not limited to: Gram-negative microbe, a Gram-positive microbe,a fungus, a yeast, a Mycobacterium tuberculosis microbe, a Mycobacteriumavium complex microbe, and/or a Mycobacterium abscessus microbe.

At 802, the method 800 can comprise contacting the pathogen with one ormore chemical compounds. The one or more chemical compounds can compriseone or more ionene units 100 (e.g., characterized by the second chemicalformula 202). The one or more ionene units 100 can comprise one or morecations 104 (e.g., represented by “X” in FIG. 2) distributed along amolecular backbone 102. The one or more cations 104 can comprisenitrogen cations and/or phosphorus cations. Example nitrogen cations caninclude, but are not limited to: protonated secondary amine cations,protonated tertiary amine cations, quaternary ammonium cations, and/orimidazolium cations. Example phosphorus cations can include, but are notlimited to: protonated secondary phosphine cations, protonated tertiaryphosphine cations, and/or quaternary phosphonium cations. The molecularbackbone 102 can be degradable. Further, the molecular backbone 102 cancomprise one or more bis(urea)guanidinium structures. The one or moreionene units 100 can have: antimicrobial functionality and/orsupramolecular assembly functionality.

At 804, the method 800 can comprise electrostatically disrupting amembrane of the pathogen in response to the contacting at 802. Themembrane of the pathogen can comprise a phospholipid bilayer 110 asdescribed regarding FIG. 1B. Further, the electrostatic disruption at804 can be facilitated by one or more interactions between the one ormore cations 104 of the ionene unit 100 and/or one or more negativelycharged membrane molecules 112 that can comprise the membrane of thepathogen.

Additionally, one or more ionene units 100 characterized by the secondchemical formula 202 can have supramolecular functionality. For example,the one or more bis(urea)guanidinium structures can facilitatesupramolecular assembly of the one or more ionene units 100 with thepathogen to form a supramolecule.

Thus, the one or more chemical compounds can be monomers (e.g., ionenes)and/or polymers (e.g., polyionenes such as homopolymers, alternatingcopolymers, and/or random copolymers). The one or more ionene units 100comprising the one or more compounds utilized in method 800 can becharacterized by the second chemical formula 202. For example, the oneor more chemical compounds can comprise one or more of the ionenecompositions described regarding FIG. 5. Additionally, the method 800can facilitate conducting a lysis process 108 regarding the pathogen.

FIG. 9 illustrates a flow diagram of an example, non-limiting method 900that can facilitate killing a pathogen, preventing the growth of apathogen, and/or preventing contamination by a pathogen. Repetitivedescription of like elements employed in other embodiments describedherein is omitted for sake of brevity. Example pathogens can include,but are not limited to: Gram-negative microbe, a Gram-positive microbe,a fungus, a yeast, a Mycobacterium tuberculosis microbe, a Mycobacteriumavium complex microbe, and/or a Mycobacterium abscessus microbe.

At 902, the method 900 can comprise contacting the pathogen with one ormore chemical compounds. The one or more chemical compounds can compriseone or more ionene units 100 (e.g., characterized by the first chemicalformula 200). The one or more ionene units 100 can comprise one or morecations 104 (e.g., represented by “X” in FIG. 2) distributed along amolecular backbone 102. The one or more cations 104 can comprisenitrogen cations and/or phosphorus cations. Example nitrogen cations caninclude, but are not limited to: protonated secondary amine cations,protonated tertiary amine cations, quaternary ammonium cations, and/orimidazolium cations. Example phosphorus cations can include, but are notlimited to: protonated secondary phosphine cations, protonated tertiaryphosphine cations, and/or quaternary phosphonium cations. The molecularbackbone 102 can be degradable. Further, the molecular backbone 102 cancomprise one or more terephthalamide structures. The one or more ioneneunits 100 can have: antimicrobial functionality and/or carbohydratemimetic functionality.

At 904, the method 900 can comprise electrostatically disrupting amembrane of the pathogen in response to the contacting at 902. Themembrane of the pathogen can comprise a phospholipid bilayer asdescribed regarding FIG. 1B. Further, the electrostatic disruption at904 can be facilitated by one or more interactions between the one ormore cations 104 of the ionene unit 100 and/or one or more negativelycharged membrane molecules 112 that can comprise the membrane of thepathogen.

Furthermore, the ionene unit 100 can comprise one or more hydrophobicfunctional groups 106. The one or more hydrophobic functional groups 106can be derived from dialkyl halides and can comprise alkyl and/or arylstructures. Additionally, the one or more hydrophobic functional groups106 can be covalently bonded to the molecular backbone 102 (e.g., viabonding with one or more cations 104). Additionally, the method 900 canfurther comprise destabilizing the membrane of the pathogen throughintegration of the hydrophobic functional group 106 into the membrane(e.g., as depict at 120 and/or 122 of the lysis process 108).

In one or more embodiments, the ionene unit 100 can further comprise oneor more hydrophilic functional groups. The one or more hydrophilicfunctional groups can: increase degradability of the one or more ioneneunits 100, impart carbohydrate mimetic functionality to the one or moreionene units 100, and/or increase mobility (e.g., intracellularmobility) of the one or more ionene units 100. For example, the one ormore hydrophilic functional groups can be derived from a polyol and haveone or more hydroxyl functional groups. In another example, the one ormore hydrophilic functional groups can be derived from a block polymer,can be water-soluble, can be bioinert, and/or can comprise one or moreether groups.

Thus, the one or more chemical compounds can be monomers (e.g., ionenes)and/or polymers (e.g., polyionenes such as homopolymers, alternatingcopolymers, and/or random copolymers). The one or more ionene units 100comprising the one or more compounds utilized in method 900 can becharacterized by the first chemical formula 200. For example, the one ormore chemical compounds can comprise any of the ionene compositionsdescribed regarding FIGS. 3-4. Additionally, the method 900 canfacilitate conducting a lysis process 108 regarding the pathogen.

FIG. 10 illustrates a flow diagram of an example, non-limiting method1000 that can facilitate killing a pathogen, preventing the growth of apathogen, and/or preventing contamination by a pathogen. Repetitivedescription of like elements employed in other embodiments describedherein is omitted for sake of brevity. Example pathogens can include,but are not limited to: Gram-negative microbe, a Gram-positive microbe,a fungus, a yeast, a Mycobacterium tuberculosis microbe, a Mycobacteriumavium complex microbe, and/or a Mycobacterium abscessus microbe.

At 1002, the method 1000 can comprise targeting a pathogen with one ormore chemical compounds through electrostatic interaction between theone or more chemical compounds and a membrane of the pathogen. Forexample, the targeting at 1002 can be facilitated by one or moreinteractions between the one or more cations 104 of the chemicalcompound and/or one or more negatively charged membrane molecules 112that can comprise the membrane of the pathogen.

The one or more chemical compounds can comprise one or more ionene units100 (e.g., characterized by the first chemical formula 200 and/or thesecond chemical formula 202). The one or more ionene units 100 cancomprise the one or more cations 104 (e.g., represented by “X” in FIG.2) distributed along a molecular backbone 102. The one or more cations104 can comprise nitrogen cations and/or phosphorus cations. Examplenitrogen cations can include, but are not limited to: protonatedsecondary amine cations, protonated tertiary amine cations, quaternaryammonium cations, and/or imidazolium cations. Example phosphorus cationscan include, but are not limited to: protonated secondary phosphinecations, protonated tertiary phosphine cations, and/or quaternaryphosphonium cations. The molecular backbone 102 can be degradable.Further, the molecular backbone 102 can comprise one or moreterephthalamide structures and/or one or more bis(urea)guanidiniumstructures. The one or more ionene units 100 can have: antimicrobialfunctionality, supramolecular assembly functionality, and/orcarbohydrate mimetic functionality.

Furthermore, the ionene unit 100 can comprise one or more hydrophobicfunctional groups 106. The one or more hydrophobic functional groups 106can be derived from dialkyl halides and can comprise alkyl and/or arylstructures. Additionally, the one or more hydrophobic functional groups106 can be covalently bonded to the molecular backbone 102 (e.g., viabonding with one or more cations 104).

At 1004, the method 1000 can further comprise destabilizing the membraneof the pathogen through integration of the one or more hydrophobicfunctional groups 106 into the membrane of the pathogen. For example,the one or more hydrophobic functional groups 106 can integrate into ahydrophobic region of the membrane as depicted at 120 and/or 122 of thelysis process 108. Integration of the one or more hydrophobic functionalgroups 106 can compromise the integrity of the pathogen's membrane,thereby facilitating the lysis process 108.

In one or more embodiments, the ionene unit 100 can further comprise oneor more hydrophilic functional groups. The one or more hydrophilicfunctional groups can: increase degradability of the one or more ioneneunits 100, impart carbohydrate mimetic functionality to the one or moreionene units 100, and/or increase mobility (e.g., intracellularmobility) of the one or more ionene units 100. For example, the one ormore hydrophilic functional groups can be derived from a polyol and haveone or more hydroxyl functional groups. In another example, the one ormore hydrophilic functional groups can be derived from a block polymer,can be water-soluble, can be bioinert, and/or can comprise one or moreether groups.

In one or more embodiments, the one or more ionene units 100 cansupramolecularly assemble with the pathogen. For example, one or morebis(urea)guanidinium structures comprising the molecular backbone 102 ofthe one or more ionene units 100 can facilitate supramolecular assemblyof the one or more chemical compounds with the pathogen to form asupramolecular assembly.

Thus, the one or more chemical compounds can be monomers (e.g., ionenes)and/or polymers (e.g., polyionenes such as homopolymers, alternatingcopolymers, and/or random copolymers). The one or more ionene units 100comprising the one or more compounds utilized in method 1000 can becharacterized by the first chemical formula 200 and/or the secondchemical formula 202. For example, the one or more chemical compoundscan comprise any of the ionene compositions described herein (e.g., withregard to FIGS. 3-5). Additionally, the method 1000 can facilitateconducting a lysis process 108 regarding the Mycobacterium tuberculosismicrobe.

FIG. 11 illustrates three micrographs of an example, non-limiting lysisprocess 108 of a Mycobacterium tuberculosis 3360 (Mtb 3360) microbe,which is a clinical strain of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, in accordancewith one or more embodiments described herein. Repetitive description oflike elements employed in other embodiments described herein is omittedfor sake of brevity. FIG. 11 can depict transmission electron microscopy(TEM) micrographs of a Mtb 3360 microbe undergoing a lysis process 108facilitated by the fifth ionene composition 408 at a concentration of 32micrograms per milliliter (μg/mL). The first micrograph 1102 can depictthe Mtb 3360 microbe before being contacted with the fifth ionenecomposition 408. The second micrograph 1104 and/or the third micrograph1106 can depict the Mtb 3360 microbe after being contacted with thefifth ionene composition 408 for 24 hours.

FIG. 12A illustrates a diagram of an example, non-limiting chart 1200that can depict the antimicrobial efficacy of one or more ionenecompositions in accordance with one or more embodiments describedherein. Repetitive description of like elements employed in otherembodiments described herein is omitted for sake of brevity. Todemonstrate the antimicrobial effects of the ionene compositions (e.g.,that can be characterized by first chemical formula 200 and/or secondchemical formula 202 and exemplified in FIGS. 3-5) and methods (e.g.,methods 600, 700, 800, 900, and/or 1000) described herein a plurality ofpolyionene compositions were evaluated against a broad spectrum ofpathogens.

The first column 1202 of chart 1200 can depict the ionene compositionsubject to evaluation. The second column 1204 of chart 1200 can depictthe minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) in μg/mL of the subjectionene composition regarding Staphylococcus aureus (“SA”). The thirdcolumn 1206 of chart 1200 can depict the MIC in μg/mL of the subjectionene composition regarding Escherichia coli (“EC”). The fourth column1208 of chart 1200 can depict the MIC in μg/mL of the subject ionenecomposition regarding Pseudomonas aeruginosa (“PA”). The fifth column1210 of chart 1200 can depict the MIC in μg/mL of the subject ionenecomposition regarding Candida albicans (“CA”). The sixth column 1212 ofchart 1200 can depict the MIC in μg/mL of the subject ionene compositionregarding Mtb 3360. The seventh column 1214 of chart 1200 can depict theMIC in μg/mL of the subject ionene composition regarding Mtb 3361, whichis another clinical strain of Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

FIG. 12B illustrates a diagram of an example, non-limiting chart 1216that can depict the antimicrobial efficacy of one or more ionenecompositions in accordance with one or more embodiments describedherein. Repetitive description of like elements employed in otherembodiments described herein is omitted for sake of brevity. Todemonstrate the antimicrobial effects of the ionene compositions (e.g.,that can be characterized by first chemical formula 200 and/or secondchemical formula 202 and exemplified in FIGS. 3-5) and methods (e.g.,methods 600, 700, 800, 900, and/or 1000) described herein a plurality ofpolyionene compositions were evaluated against Mycobacterium aviumcomplex and/or Mycobacterium abscessus 4064, which is a clinical strainof Mycobacterium abscessus.

The left column 1218 of chart 1216 can depict the ionene compositionsubject to evaluation. The middle column 1220 of chart 1216 can depictthe MIC in μg/mL of the subject ionene composition regardingMycobacterium avium complex. The right column 1222 of chart 1200 candepict the MIC in μg/mL of the subject ionene composition regardingMycobacterium abscessus 4064.

The various structures (e.g., described regarding FIG. 2), compositions(e.g., described regarding FIGS. 3-5 and/or 11-12), and/or methods(e.g., described regarding FIGS. 6-10) described herein can beincorporated into a variety of applications. For example, saidapplications can include cleaning, sanitizing, disinfecting, and/orotherwise treating various articles such as, but not limited to: foodpackaging, medical devices, floor surfaces, furniture surfaces, woundcare instruments (e.g., bandages and/or gauss), building surfaces,plants (e.g., agricultural crops), ground surfaces, farming equipment,beds, sheets, clothes, blankets, shoes, doors, door frames, walls,ceilings, mattresses, light fixtures, facets, switches, sinks, grabrails, remote controls, vanities, computer equipment, carts, trolleys,hampers, bins, a combination thereof, and/or the like. In anotherexample, said applications can include pharmaceuticals, pharmaceuticalsalts, hygiene products (e.g., soaps and/or shampoos), air filters,masks, air purifiers, and/or the like. In a further example, saidapplications can include agricultural sprays and/or aqueous solutionsthat can facilitate processing crops for consumption.

In addition, the term “or” is intended to mean an inclusive “or” ratherthan an exclusive “or.” That is, unless specified otherwise, or clearfrom context, “X employs A or B” is intended to mean any of the naturalinclusive permutations. That is, if X employs A; X employs B; or Xemploys both A and B, then “X employs A or B” is satisfied under any ofthe foregoing instances. Moreover, articles “a” and “an” as used in thesubject specification and annexed drawings should generally be construedto mean “one or more” unless specified otherwise or clear from contextto be directed to a singular form. As used herein, the terms “example”and/or “exemplary” are utilized to mean serving as an example, instance,or illustration. For the avoidance of doubt, the subject matterdisclosed herein is not limited by such examples. In addition, anyaspect or design described herein as an “example” and/or “exemplary” isnot necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over otheraspects or designs, nor is it meant to preclude equivalent exemplarystructures and techniques known to those of ordinary skill in the art.

What has been described above include mere examples of systems,compositions, and methods. It is, of course, not possible to describeevery conceivable combination of reagents, products, solvents, and/orarticles for purposes of describing this disclosure, but one of ordinaryskill in the art can recognize that many further combinations andpermutations of this disclosure are possible. Furthermore, to the extentthat the terms “includes,” “has,” “possesses,” and the like are used inthe detailed description, claims, appendices and drawings such terms areintended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as“comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in aclaim. The descriptions of the various embodiments have been presentedfor purposes of illustration, but are not intended to be exhaustive orlimited to the embodiments disclosed. Many modifications and variationswill be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departingfrom the scope and spirit of the described embodiments. The terminologyused herein was chosen to best explain the principles of theembodiments, the practical application or technical improvement overtechnologies found in the marketplace, or to enable others of ordinaryskill in the art to understand the embodiments disclosed herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for disrupting a pathogen, comprising: contacting a pathogen with a chemical compound, the chemical compound comprising an ionene unit, the ionene unit comprising a cation distributed along a molecular backbone, and the molecular backbone comprising a bis(urea)guanidinium structure, wherein the ionene unit has antimicrobial functionality; and electrostatically disrupting a membrane of the pathogen in response to the contacting.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the pathogen is selected from a group consisting of Gram-negative microbe, a Gram-positive microbe, a fungus, a yeast, a Mycobacterium tuberculosis microbe, a Mycobacterium avium complex microbe and a Mycobacterium abscessus microbe.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the cation is a nitrogen cation selected from another group comprising a protonated secondary amine cation, a protonated tertiary amine cation, a quaternary ammonium cation and an imidazolium cation.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the electrostatically disrupting the membrane comprises supramolecular assembly of the chemical compound and the pathogen.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the ionene unit further comprises a hydrophobic functional group covalently bonded to the molecular backbone.
 6. The method of claim 5, further comprising: destabilizing the membrane through integration of the hydrophobic functional group into the membrane.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the molecular backbone is degradable.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the chemical compound is characterized by the following structure:

wherein X is the cation, wherein R is a hydrophobic functional group, wherein n is an integer greater than or equal to two and less than or equal to one thousand, and wherein L is a linkage group selected from the group consisting of an ester group and a carbonyl group.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the chemical compound is characterized by the following structure:

wherein X is the cation, wherein R is a hydrophobic functional group, wherein n is an integer greater than or equal to two and less than or equal to one thousand, and wherein L is a linkage group selected from the group consisting of: an alkyl group, aryl group, an alkenyl group, an aldehyde group, an ester group, a carboxyl group, and a carbonyl group.
 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the ionene unit has a chemical structure selected from the group consisting of:

wherein n represents a first integer greater than or equal to one and less than or equal to one thousand.
 11. The method of claim 1, wherein the ionene unit has a chemical structure selected from the group consisting of:

wherein n is a first integer greater than or equal to one and less than or equal to one thousand, wherein m is a second integer greater than or equal to one and less than or equal to one thousand, wherein y is a third integer greater than or equal to one and less than or equal to one thousand, wherein x is a fourth integer greater than or equal to one and less than or equal to one thousand, and wherein ED₂₀₀₀ is a poly(propylene glycol)-block-poly(ethylene glycol)-block-poly(propylene glycol) bis(2-aminopropyl ether) structure having a molecular weight greater than or equal to 1900 grams per mole and less than or equal to 2200 grams per mole.
 12. A method for disrupting a pathogen, comprising: contacting a pathogen with a chemical compound characterized by the following structure:

wherein X is a cation, wherein R is a hydrophobic functional group, wherein n is an integer greater than or equal to two and less than or equal to one thousand, and wherein L is a linkage group selected from the group consisting of an ester group and a carbonyl group; and electrostatically disrupting a membrane of the pathogen in response to the contacting.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the pathogen is selected from a group consisting of Gram-negative microbe, a Gram-positive microbe, a fungus, a yeast, a Mycobacterium tuberculosis microbe, a Mycobacterium avium complex microbe and a Mycobacterium abscessus microbe.
 14. The method of claim 12, wherein the chemical compound comprises an ionene unit comprising the cation distributed along a molecular backbone, and wherein the ionene unit has antimicrobial functionality.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the cation is a nitrogen cation selected from another group comprising a protonated secondary amine cation, a protonated tertiary amine cation, a quaternary ammonium cation and an imidazolium cation.
 16. The method of claim 12, wherein the electrostatically disrupting the membrane comprises supramolecular assembly of the chemical compound and the pathogen.
 17. The method of claim 12, wherein the ionene unit further comprises a hydrophobic functional group covalently bonded to the molecular backbone, and wherein the method further comprises: destabilizing the membrane through integration of the hydrophobic functional group into the membrane.
 18. A method for disrupting a pathogen, comprising: contacting a pathogen with a chemical compound characterized by the following structure:

wherein X is a cation, wherein R is a hydrophobic functional group, wherein n is an integer greater than or equal to two and less than or equal to one thousand, and wherein L is a linkage group selected from the group consisting of: an alkyl group, aryl group, an alkenyl group, an aldehyde group, an ester group, a carboxyl group, and a carbonyl group; and electrostatically disrupting a membrane of the pathogen in response to the contacting.
 19. The method of claim 18, wherein the pathogen is selected from a group consisting of Gram-negative microbe, a Gram-positive microbe, a fungus, a yeast, a Mycobacterium tuberculosis microbe, a Mycobacterium avium complex microbe and a Mycobacterium abscessus microbe.
 20. The method of claim 18, wherein the chemical compound comprises an ionene unit comprising the cation distributed along a molecular backbone, and wherein the ionene unit has antimicrobial functionality. 